HI Guys, Good day to you all.
I'm thinking of getting back into mountain biking and planning to purchase my 1st bike after my last ride 20+years ago. I just stepped into my 40's, 173cm and 115kg, as you all can see, I don't work out much.
Need some advice for the following:
1. What I need do to get back into mountain biking in terms of physical preparation?

2. As mentioned, I've planned to get a new bike and planning to use it to get myself into shape and also do some off-road riding, my budget is around RM3k to get all the necessary stuffs and gears, I had chosen 2 bikes from the same shop, both share the same price and the shop is authorized dealer for both brand, hence warranty and servicing the bike will be easy. The bikes are 1. Marin Bobcat Trail 4 2020 and 2. Polygon Xtrada 5 2021. I'm now facing a dilemma of getting the right one. At first, I'm more keen to get the Xtrada 5, as its offer slightly better gear system compare to Marin Bobcat Trail 4 (Deore 2×10 vs Altus 2×9), and the geometry suits me better. But I'm now hesitated because of the seat tube diameter is only 27.2mm which is quite difficult to get the a dropper post in the future. So, Si-Fus and Dai-Gors, should I get the Polygon or the Marin?

This post has been edited by Guyver: Jun 15 2021, 08:08 PM

Hi Pretty23, thanks for the recommendation , I was temped to get the D5 in the beginning when I started looking for options, but getting the D5 will break my budget of RM3k for getting everything (kits and gears) to start. All my old kits beside the trusty Camelbak are either not fit or not able to be use anymore.

If possible I'm hoping to get a 29er and the D5 seat tube diameter still worries me as it is also 27.2mm.
Taking my age into account that a full sus will helps during off-road, but I learnt that newbie is recommended to start with a hardtail as to learn the basic skills. Or I'm wrong?

Thanks again for the input.

This post has been edited by Guyver: Jun 16 2021, 11:08 AM

Thanks for the advice.

I'll give some consideration on topping up the budget.
I was thinking on getting shoes, pedals, helmet, gloves and the bike within a RM3k budget, seems like now i have to re-think it again.

Thanks for the advice.

Definitely will re-consider the budget. Kits wise, I had had quite a number of item in my shopee cart.

Noted, but the biggest joke now is the seller ran out of stock....
unless I get it from a seller in Selangor, JB is no luck for me d.

If that's the case, then I better wait for the local shop to replenish their stock.
If buy online and these items are missing, no use to complaint.

Noted, will do.

It's been a long time since my last input, how's every dai-gor and si-fu?

A little bit of update for my bike hunt.
I'm going to get a Polygon T7 (Closed some sales, got a bit extra on the commission), deposit paid now waiting for stock to come, seller said estimated it will arrive by Feb 2022.

In the mean time, I had got myself a 24" fat bike, it is for getting myself into shape before the new T7 reach. It's a China made fat bike that not really fit my geometry, but that's what a RM800 bike get you, right?
After getting the bike, I had changed some component, e.g. stem, handlebar, F & R derailleur & shifter (although still China made, but a length better then the one comes with the bike), saddle and a dropper post (Short legs ).

After 20years, I can say that I'm totally out of shape, my 1st ride doesn't even last for 15mins....

Well that's warps up my updates.

Happy riding!!

What i understand is shortage....

Ya, the seller told me the same thing, not only bikes, but bike components and accessories also the same situation.

Finally, I'm back with some news.
I end up getting a new Polygon Siskiu T7 back in April, took a long time to decide also a long waiting period, big hole in my pocket.
Since then I had done some upgrade, a few knicks and knacks like adding mud guard front and back, lower the handlebar height to try out some setting and the major ones are replacing my stem and saddle.
I replace the saddle due to the one came with the bike is a bit narrow for my butt and butt hurts, fat guy big butt. Bought a Selle Royal Float Athletic.
As for the stem, I had the original over torque and the thread line are gone for one of the nut. Replaced with a Spank Split Stem same length no rise. And because of that, I had to purchase new spacer.
Anyhow, I have been riding it for training my stamina and short off road riding at an estate trail I found near my taman.
Overall, I like the bike, the built quality feels good and the components came with it is good.

I have a question to ask, I found online that if my saddle setting is right, when my feet are level on the paddle (Let's say right leg in-front and left leg at the back), my right kneecap and the paddle's axle should form a straight line. After installing, setting the saddle height correctly and moved the saddle rearward as much as possible, I found that I still can't get a straight line between my right kneecap and the paddle's axle, it is around 2~3cms forward than the axle. Has anyone facing the same problem? Beside getting a new saddle or even a new bike , what else can I do? How will it affect my ride or kneecap if I just leave it as it is?

This post has been edited by Guyver: Jun 29 2022, 12:23 AM

Hey there~!
Totally agree..... since I got the bike, I have been looking into parts unintentionally.....
BTW, I forgot to mention, I had also replace the paddle with a pair of Crank Brothers Stamp 1 Large, as I have wide feet.

Here's a photo of the question I had mention in my previous post. According to the web, this is the ideal situation, where your kneecap is in a straight line with the paddle's axle.



When I'm riding, as maybe I don't ride for long distance at the moment (Current max distance is around 10km), I don't feel there any uncomfortable.

This post has been edited by Guyver: Jun 29 2022, 12:24 AM

Hi Mavik~

The bike does comes with a dropper.
The LBS actually telling me the same thing, that as we are off saddle most of the time, this is not something very important. But as I'm a fat guy that doesn't have a lot's of stamina, I tend to sit on the saddle more, hence a bit worry about the situation will cause issue to my knees.

This post has been edited by Guyver: Jun 29 2022, 01:38 AM

I do think that I had my saddle height setup correctly, as I'm using the method you are mentioning.
but I will do it again once my nephew is over at my place, he is my bike buddy for the moment.

I will continue to monitor 1st and if my knees really start feeling uncomfortable, I will think about a set of new crank arm.


Actually me too >100kg. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks for the advice.


Again thank you all for your advice, as mentioned, I will continue to monitor the situation, if my knees start feeling uncomfortable, I will seek advice again at my LBS.

It is the fear of "hangat hangat tahi ayam" that makes me to get the T7.
Cause the price will motivates me riding it.

This post has been edited by Guyver: Jul 15 2022, 07:13 PM

May I know what kind of trail you will be riding? Estate road or trekking trail?
A hardtail XC bike would be good enough for estate road, as for trekking trail, maybe a full-sus XC or trail bike, depends on your condition and requirement.

There are a lot of brand out there that's fits your bill. Take Polygon as a reference. (Definitely not a fan boy, but I do own a Siskiu T7.)
Polygon does offer entry (Cascade & Premier Series) and intermediate (Xtrada Series) level aluminum hardtail bikes that are within or just slightly higher than your budget.
As for full-sus, the Siskiu D5 is within your reach with a little add-on.

I had chosen my bike based on the geometry given by the manufacturer, you can find this info for each bike model in most manufacturer page.

For your height, normally it would be a L or XL. But I will recommend to check the frame reach too, to get your reach figure, you need the following formula:
Height(cm)*2.5=Reach(mm)
if you wish to have a shorter reach, just multiply by 2.45, for a longer reach, multiply 2.55. Not more than these 2 figures, else your reach will be too short or too long.
Of course as Azran1979 said, you can change the reach by adjusting the seat position and stem length, but if it is way too short, you will compromise the geometry and faced other problems.

For your height, your reach will be 475mm, you can start looking for bike using this as a reference.
You also might wish to check your inseam, this is for the bike's standover height, just to make sure that you are able to standover the top tube with both feet on the ground. (In your case, i think most standover height wouldn't be a problem.)

I recommend to watch these 2 video for reference.
How To Buy Your First Mountain Bike | The GMBN Guide

How To Choose The Right Size Mountain Bike | Frame Geometry Explained

Lastly, do make a test ride if the shop has a demo bike, that is the best way to find out whether the bike suits you or not.

Anyhow, just sharing my 2cents for getting a correct bike, if I'm providing incorrect information, please do inform me, I will correct it.

This post has been edited by Guyver: Aug 3 2022, 11:58 AM

That's roughly a RM1199 discount from the RRP.
I would said it is a bargain consider that he only rode the bike 4 times.